Since May, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed 15 Sedgwick County cases as positive for 2009
H1N1 (swine) influenza. The Sedgwick County Health Department has worked with all cases and close contacts to take appropriate actions.

It is important to remember simple steps everyone can take to reduce the chance of contracting the flu:

o Wash your hands often
o Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing and sneezing
o Stay home when you are sick
o Keep your hands away from your mouth and nose

If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

The symptoms of H1N1 are:

- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing
- Nausea
- Occasional vomiting or diarrhea

For more information about H1N1, visit www.sedgwickcounty.org.